Voice of America, 29 September 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE LATEST PEACE ACCORD IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS ONE OF SEVERAL TOPICS BEING COVERED IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF SOME OF THE NATION'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER OPINIONS COVER [BEGIN OPT] THE POTENTIAL SALE OF SOME NATIONAL PARKS [END OPT] ; THE BUDGET IMPASSE IN CONGRESS; THE SAFETY OF REGIONAL AIRLINES; HAITI'S STRUGGLE TOWARD DEMOCRACY; AND AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES. NOW, HERE'S ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AS WOULD BE EXPECTED, THURSDAY'S CEREMONIAL SIGNING AT THE WHITE HOUSE OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS IS LEADING MANY OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS COLUMNS. IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES," WHICH DOES LEAD WITH IT, THE PAPER IS MORE INTERESTED WITH ONE MIDDLE EAST LEADER WHO WAS ABSENT AT THIS WEEK'S CEREMONY.

VOICE: "..... AS MR. [ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK] RABIN NOTED IN HIS REMARKS, ONE VITALLY IMPORTANT LEADER WAS NOT ON HAND - - PRESIDENT HAFEZ AL-ASSAD OF SYRIA, WHO CONTROLS LEBANON'S FOREIGN POLICY TOO. SYRIA AND LEBANON, ALONE AMONG ISRAEL'S NEIGHBORS, STAND ALOOF FROM THE GROWING REGIONAL DYNAMIC OF PEACE. THOUGH FORMALLY COMMITTED TO A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION, MR. ASSAD RESISTS THE KIND OF COMPROMISES THAT MAKE AGREEMENTS POSSIBLE. [OPT] YET UNTIL HE ACCEPTS MR. RABIN'S INVITATION TO 'COME TO THE PLATFORM OF PEACE,' THE MIDDLE EAST'S PROMISING DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION WILL NOT BE COMPLETE." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "THE MOST TRENCHANT OBSERVATION OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE SIGNING AT THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY WAS MADE BY AN IMPLACABLE OPPONENT. MUSTAPHA AL-LIDDAWI, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TERRORIST HAMAS ORGANIZATION IN LEBANON, TOLD A REUTERS CORRESPONDENT IN BEIRUT THAT THE PEACE PROCESS 'REPRESENTS THE INTERNATIONAL WILL AND IT WILL NOT FAIL IN THE YEARS TO COME.' HE CONCEDED THAT HIS ENEMY, P-L-O CHAIRMAN YASSER ARAFAT, 'HAS TRIUMPHED OVER THE OPPOSITION.'"

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" CONTAINS AN EDITORIAL WHICH PICKS UP A THEME FROM PRIME MINISTER RABIN. THE ISRAELI LEADER SAID THAT SOME OF THE EXCITEMENT HAS GONE FROM THIS RECENT CEREMONY AS COMPARED TO THE INITIAL SIGNING TWO YEARS AGO. THAT, HE POINTS OUT, COULD BE DUE TO THE WORLD'S GROWING FAMILIARITY WITH AGREEMENTS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS.

VOICE: " 'PERHAPS THIS PICTURE HAS ALREADY BECOME ROUTINE. OUR SPEECHES ARE REPEATING THEMSELVES,' HE EXPLAINED, 'HANDSHAKES NO LONGER SET YOUR PULSE RACING.' ..... MR. RABIN EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON NO ONE WAS PARTICULARLY EXCITED BY THE EVENT WAS THAT 'WE HAVE BEGUN TO GET USED TO EACH OTHER, WE HAVE MATURED AND WE ARE AT THE START OF RECONCILIATION.'

TEXT: AND "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" ADDS THIS:

VOICE: "THE REWARDS OF PEACE, MEANWHILE, WILL GO TO THOSE WHO HAVE DARED TO BE RISK-TAKERS AS WELL AS PEACEMAKERS. THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WILL HAVE THEIR INDEPENDENT STATE ONE DAY. ... EGYPT AND JORDAN TODAY ENJOY THE PEACE WITH ISRAEL THEIR SEPARATE APPROACHES HAVE BROUGHT. ..... TO BORROW AN AMERICAN POLITICAL PHRASE OF RECENT CURRENCY, THE LEADERS OF SYRIA AND LEBANON SHOULD THINK ABOUT IT."

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" TAKES ISSUE WITH THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS, WHICH IS CONSIDERING SELLING SOME OF THE NATION'S NATIONAL PARKS.

VOICE: "WE ARE BEING ROBBED OF OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE. THOSE IN CHARGE OF CRITICAL COMMITTEES IN CONGRESS ARE FLINGING OPEN THE DOORS TO OUR NATIONAL TREASURES TO RAIDERS AND RASCALS. ... THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA ... CUMBERLAND ISLAND AND OTHER PARK PROPERTIES IN GEORGIA ARE ON THE LIST OF AREAS ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD. ..... IN THE SHORTSIGHTED, EXCLUSIVELY PROFIT-ORIENTED VIEW OF THIS NEW BREED OF REPUBLICANS, THAT IDEA ACTUALLY MAKES A PERVERTED KIND OF SENSE. ... BUT THE VALUE OF SOME THINGS CAN'T BE MEASURED SIMPLY IN DOLLARS. BUT TRY TELLING THAT TO CONGRESS."

TEXT: THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS COMES IN FOR CRITICISM FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IN THE WAY IT IS ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

VOICE: "THE NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN CONGRESS IS AMBITIOUS. BUT ITS SLASH-AND-BURN EFFORT TO REDUCE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TOO FAR TOO FAST. ITS BRINKMANSHIP POLITICS APPEAR MEAN-SPIRITED AND DIVISIVE. THE NATION CERTAINLY NEEDS TO EMBARK ON A NEW COURSE, BUT ONE THAT BRINGS THE COUNTRY TOGETHER RATHER THAN ONE THAT PULLS IT APART."

TEXT: THE SAFETY OF REGIONAL AIRLINES WAS DISCUSSED IN AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT THIS WEEK BY "USA TODAY". THE REPORT SHOWED THAT SMALL AIRLINES HAVE SOME PILOTS WITH QUESTIONABLE FLYING RECORDS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FATAL CRASHES. THE REPORT LED TO THIS EDITORIAL.

VOICE: "HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES? AT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, GUARDIAN OF PUBLIC AIR SAFETY, THE ANSWER IS A DISASTROUSLY LONG TIME. .... USA TODAY REPORTERS ... REVEAL THAT THE SYSTEM FOR ASSURING PILOT COMPETENCE IS DANGEROUSLY FLAWED. IN FACT, IT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO 111 DEATHS, ALL BUT ONE ON SMALL AIRLINES, WHICH HAVE LESS-EXPERIENCED PILOTS. ..... THE RECORD SHOWS THE FAA [FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION] WAS WARNED REPEATEDLY ABOUT FLAWS IN PILOT TESTING AND HIRING, THAT IT RECOGNIZED THE FLAWS AND THAT IT WAS FLAGRANTLY INEFFECTIVE IN FIXING THEM."

TEXT: ABOUT HAITI'S FIRST YEAR OF DEMOCRACY AFTER THE U-S MILITARY INTERVENTION, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" SAYS:

VOICE: "[OPT] THE MARGIN OF SUBSISTENCE AND THE HOPE OF PROGRESS ARE NOW BEING PROVIDED BY HAITI'S INTERNATIONAL RESCUERS. FIRST AMONG THEM IS THE UNITED STATES, WHICH BY ITS INTERVENTION PROVIDED NECESSARY RELIEF BUT TOOK ON A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DESTITUTE NEIGHBOR. [END OPT] DEFICIENCIES OF BASIC ORGANIZATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ONLY THE START OF A DAUNTING DOMESTIC AGENDA. HAITI MUST FIND A PLACE IN A REGIONAL ECONOMY THAT HAS A LONG HEAD START. THE OUTSIDERS' CHALLENGE IS TO MOVE BEYOND REINFORCING DEPENDENCY INTO GENERATING SELF-SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT. THE ONE COURSE INVITES A QUAGMIRE, THE OTHER A RELATIONSHIP OF DIGNITY. EITHER WAY IT WILL BE TOUGH GOING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS SUGGESTING THAT REPUBLICAN NEWCOMERS IN CONGRESS, SERIOUS ABOUT REDUCING THE BUDGET DEFICIT, ARE ATTACKING AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES, WHICH IS BACKED BY A VERY FORMIDABLE GROUP OF SUPPORTERS.

VOICE: "THIS YEAR CONGRESS WILL PASS A FARM BILL THAT WILL SET THE NATION'S AGRICULTURAL POLICIES INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONGRESS IN 40 YEARS HAS PROMISED TO WEAN PRODUCERS FROM THE FEDERAL DOLE. [OPT] OPPOSING REFORM ARE A COALITION OF LIBERAL MEMBERS WHO NEVER SAW A DOMESTIC PROGRAM THEY WOULDN'T FUND AND SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SIDING WITH POLITICALLY INFLUENTIAL COTTON, RICE, PEANUT AND SUGAR PRODUCERS THAT FEAR A MARKET-ORIENTED FARM BILL. [END OPT] .... IN THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, THE LOBBIES FOR THE PEANUT AND SUGAR PROGRAMS SUCCEEDED IN SHAPING A BILL THAT PRESERVED THEIR PLACE AT THE FEDERAL TROUGH. BUT ON WEDNESDAY, SENATOR RICK SANTORUM, A FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN FROM PENNSYLVANIA .... DEFEATED THE FARM BILL IN COMMITTEE, AND FORCED IT TO ADDRESS HIS CONCERNS ABOUT THE FLEECING [CHEATING] OF CONSUMERS BY THE SUGAR AND PEANUT INTERESTS."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMMENT ON A CONTENTIOUS DOMESTIC BATTLE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS AMERICANS ARE PONDERING THIS FINAL FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER.

ANG/NL 29-Sep-95 10:32 AM EDT (1432 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: WHEN NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS HOLD THEIR ANNUAL FALL MEETING (IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA) NEXT WEEK, PEACEKEEPING IN THE BALKANS WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA. THE ALLIES HAVE PROMISED TO ENFORCE A POTENTIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION AND ARE NOW TRYING TO DECIDE HOW TO CARRY OUT THAT PLEDGE. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHEN THE BOSNIAN FIGHTING INTENSIFIED, NATO DREW UP A MASSIVE, RISKY PLAN TO EVACUATE U-N PEACEKEEPING SOLDIERS. NOW, AS THE WARRING FACTIONS TAKE STEPS TOWARD A POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT, THE ALLIES FIND THEMSELVES GRAPPLING WITH THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM -- HOW TO PUT THEIR OWN PEACEKEEPERS IN.

THE MAP OF POSTWAR BOSNIA REMAINS UNCLEAR AND SO ARE MANY DETAILS OF THE MISSION. BUT LIKE A U-N WITHDRAWAL, IT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST, MOST COMPLICATED OPERATION IN NATO HISTORY. OFFICIALS SAY IT COULD INVOLVE UPWARDS OF 50-THOUSAND TROOPS, WITH TANKS, ARTILLERY, HELICOPTERS AND AIR SUPPORT. AS MUCH AS HALF THE ALLIED FORCE, OR 25-THOUSAND PERSONNEL, WOULD COME FROM THE UNITED STATES. THE COST OF THE MISSION IS ALSO UNKNOWN, THOUGH SOME OFFICIALS SAY THE AMERICAN SHARE ALONE COULD REACH ONE-BILLION DOLLARS.

THE SCOPE AND THE DANGER OF U-S INVOLVEMENT ARE ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF INTENSE DEBATE IN WASHINGTON, WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO SELL THE IDEA TO A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS. OFFICIALS INSIST THE NATO PEACEKEEPERS WILL _NOT_ BE LIKE THEIR U-N COUNTERPARTS, WHO HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN HARASSED, ATTACKED AND EVEN TAKEN HOSTAGE BY BOSNIAN SERBS. IN A RECENT SPEECH, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY TOOK PAINS TO EMPHASIZE THE AMERICANS COULD PROTECT THEMSELVES.

WE WILL GO IN WITH ABOUT A DIVISION OF VERY FIRST-RATE, HIGHLY READY, HIGHLY TRAINED, WELL-EQUIPPED COMBAT FORCES WITH RULES OF ENGAGEMENT THAT ENABLE THEM TO FIGHT IF THEY HAVE TO FIGHT. IN SHORT, WE WILL GO IN SO THAT WE WILL BE THE MEANEST AND TOUGHEST KID ON THE BLOCK SO THAT NOBODY WILL WANT TO START A FIGHT.

OFFICIALS SAY THE DEPLOYMENT WOULD BE RELATIVELY SHORT, WITH MOST OF THE TROOPS STAYING LESS THAN A YEAR. THEY ALSO SAY U-S LEADERSHIP IS CRUCIAL FOR THE PLAN TO SUCCEED.

BUT THE ADMINISTRATION ADMITS IT CAN _NOT_ SEND SOLDIERS UNLESS CONGRESS PROVIDES MONEY AND SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CLEARLY DO _NOT_ WANT AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS IN BOSNIA. TEXAS REPUBLICAN SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON SAYS THEY COULD BECOME SITTING DUCKS (EASY TARGETS), LIKE THOSE IN THE ILL-FATED MISSION IN SOMALIA. SHE ARGUES EUROPE SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOSNIA.

I THINK BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES HAS TAKEN SUCH A STRONG LEAD UP TO THIS POINT, STRONGER THAN MANY OF US ARE COMFORTABLE WITH, THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SAY, "WE HAVE BROUGHT THE PEOPLE TO THE TABLE. WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT. AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR EUROPE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN KEEPING THIS PEACE."

SOME OF THOSE KEEPING THE PEACE MAY COME FROM OUTSIDE THE ALLIANCE. OFFICIALS SAY RUSSIA'S HISTORICAL TIES TO THE SERBS COULD MAKE RUSSIAN TROOPS VERY USEFUL IN THE MISSION. PRELIMINARY TALKS WITH RUSSIA ARE NOW UNDERWAY.

DESPITE THE COMPLEX NATURE OF THE OPERATION, SECRETARY PERRY SAYS NON-NATO SOLDIERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY A PART.

THE UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES HAVE EXERCISED AND TRAINED TOGETHER THREE OR FOUR TIMES NOW WITH RUSSIAN MILITARY FORCES AND EVEN MORE THAN THAT WITH UKRAINIAN MILITARY FORCES. SO WE SEE _NO_ PROBLEM IN INCORPORATING TROOPS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES IN THAT PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE EVEN THOUGH THE COMMAND STRUCTURE IS A NATO COMMAND STRUCTURE.

NEB/DS/BD/ART
29-Sep-95 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS RESUMED HIS SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. HE SAYS HIS LATEST TALKS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO HAVE BEEN THE MOST PRODUCTIVE SO FAR. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE ENDED A DAY OF TALKS IN SARAJEVO WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND WITH PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC. MR. HOLBROOKE DESCRIBES THE TALKS AS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND WIDE-RANGING DISCUSSIONS HE HAS HAD WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SINCE HE BEGAN HIS SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, THE AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY SAYS THERE WERE NO CLEAR CONCLUSIONS ON A VITAL ISSUE - A CEASEFIRE THROUGHOUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

ANOTHER ISSUE HE DISCUSSED WITH THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER WAS THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF TERRITORY TO THE MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS.

THERE WAS ALSO A REVIEW OF THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, REACHED IN NEW YORK EARLIER THIS WEEK.

MR. HOLBROOKE WILL MEET WITH PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC IN SARAJEVO AGAIN ON SATURDAY BEFORE GOING ON TO BELGRADE OR ZAGREB.

DESPITE SOME IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES, AN AGREEMENT ON THE ALLOCATION OF TERRITORY TO THE MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS MAY BE EASIER NOW.

THE SERBS HOLD ONLY ABOUT HALF, RATHER THAN 70 PERCENT, OF THE LAND IN BOSNIA FOLLOWING HUGE MUSLIM AND CROAT TERRITORIAL GAINS IN WESTERN BOSNIA.

THE PERCENTAGE OF TERRITORY HELD BY THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS, ON ONE SIDE, AND THE SERBS, ON THE OTHER, IS CLOSE TO WHAT THE PROPOSED PEACE PLAN OFFERS.

EVERYONE DENIES THERE WAS A SECRET DEAL. BUT, THERE IS PERSISTENT SPECULATION THAT THE SERBS DELIBERATELY RELINQUISHED TERRITORY THEY WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP ANYWAY IN A PEACE AGREEMENT.

THAT SPECULATION IS LINKED TO THE ABSENCE FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, WHEN SERB TERRITORY WAS BEING LOST. THE OFFICIAL REASON FOR HIS ABSENCE WAS THAT HE WAS RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT IN BELGRADE.

IN ANY CASE, SERB RESISTANCE TO THE MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFENSIVE IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA HAS STIFFENED SINCE GENERAL MLADIC RESUMED HIS COMMAND.

THE SERBS SAY THEY HAVE BEATEN BACK MUSLIM AND CROAT ATTACKS AROUND THE TOWN OF MRKONJIC GRAD, SOUTH OF THE KEY SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED SARAJEVO RADIO EARLIER REPORTED BOSNIAN ARMY TROOPS HAD REACHED THE APPROACHES TO MRKONJIC GRAD.

DESPITE THE FIGHTING, THE BOSNIAN ARMY AND THE SERBS HAVE EXCHANGED MORE PRISONERS. THE SERBS FREED 103 GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS, AND THE BOSNIAN ARMY RELEASED 66 SERBS.(SIGNED)

NEB / WC / BD/PT
29-Sep-95 3:22 PM EDT (1922 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S&L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: IN WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS TO DISCUSS HIS BOSNIA POLICY, SPECIFICALLY, THE SIZE AND COST OF A U-S TROOP CONTINGENT THAT WOULD BE PART OF ANY NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THERE. THE MEETING CAME IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS BY SOME CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY CONSULTED ON THE PRESIDENT'S PLANS. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT TOLD LAWMAKERS HE IS ENCOURAGED NEGOTIATIONS HELD BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE IN THE REGION MIGHT SOON PRODUCE A CEASE-FIRE. BUT HE ALSO SAID HE DID NOT THINK A CEASE-FIRE WAS IMMINENT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE ARE SEEING SOME SERIOUS DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CEASE-FIRE WHICH I HOPE CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED.

THE PRESIDENT SAID SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SIZE AND COST OF A U-S PRESENCE IN A PEACEKEEPING FORCE COULD ONLY BE ANSWERED WHEN A CEASE-FIRE AND A LASTING PEACE ARE AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. BUT THE COST OF DEPLOYING A U-S FORCE OF ABOUT 25-THOUSAND HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS.

WITHOUT CONFIRMING THOSE FIGURES, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THAT COST WOULD BE SMALLER THAN THE COST OF CONTINUED WAR. EARLIER, PRESIDENT CLINTON TOLD REPORTERS HE WAS CONFIDENT HE COULD SUCCESSFULLY MAKE HIS CASE TO CONGRESS AND AMERICANS TO SUPPORTY SENDING SUCH A FORCE.

I BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE A PART OF IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE PROCESS. I HAVE SAID THAT FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS. I DON'T SEE HOW, AS THE LEADER OF NATO, AND BASICALLY THE LEADER OF THE WEST, WE CAN WALK AWAY FROM THAT. AND I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, ONCE I EXPLAIN IT TO THEM, WILL BE SUPPORTIVE AND I BELIEVE THE CONGRESS WILL.

THIS WEEK THE PRESIDENT RECEIVED A LETTER SIGNED BY REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND FRONTRUNNER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, BOB DOLE, IN WHICH THEY ARGUED THE PRESIDENT HAD NOT CONSULTED THEM ABOUT THE U-S TROOP COST AND SIZE.

CLINTON SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS FRIDAY'S MEETING WAS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THEIR CONCERNS, AND HE PLEDGED FURTHER CONSULTATION IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD. (SIGNED)

NEB / BORG / BD / SKH
29-Sep-95 5:03 PM EDT (2103 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] SENATE / BOSNIA (S) BY JIM MALONE (SENATE)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS APPROVED A NON-BINDING RESOLUTION CALLING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SECURE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL BEFORE DEPLOYING ANY AMERICAN TROOPS AS PART OF A PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A SENATE CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE REPORTS THE MEASURE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY A VOTE OF 94-TO-2.

TEXT: THE NON-BINDING SENSE OF THE SENATE RESOLUTION ON THE USE OF U-S TROOPS WAS OFFERED BY NEW HAMPSHIRE REPUBLICAN JUDD GREGG.

THE PRESIDENT MUST EXPLAIN TO THIS CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT THE NATIONAL INTEREST IS WHICH JUSTIFIES PUTTING AMERICAN LIVES AT RISK AND MUST RECEIVE THE APPROVAL OF THIS CONGRESS BEFORE THOSE LIVES ARE PUT AT RISK. THAT IS A REASONABLE REQUEST IN A DEMOCRACY.

IN A LETTER TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID HE WOULD WELCOME CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION ON THE USE OF TROOPS IN BOSNIA.

SENATE CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE U-S INVOLVEMENT IN BOSNIA CAME AS CONGRESS WRAPPED UP ITS WORK ON SEVERAL SPENDING BILLS AND BEGAN A WEEK-LONG RECESS.

THE SENATE JOINED THE HOUSE IN APPROVING A TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT FUNDING MEASURE WHICH ENSURES THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL REMAIN IN OPERATION UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER WHILE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TRY TO NARROW THEIR DIFFERENCES OVER BUDGET CUTS. (SIGNED)

NEB / JM / BD / SKH
29-Sep-95 8:03 PM EDT (0003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE NEW SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY GATHERS MOMENTUM WITH THE ONSET OF MARATHON SPEECH-MAKING BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT MINISTERS. THE ANNUAL MEETING TAKES PLACE AGAINST A BACKDROP OF MIXED REVIEWS ON HOW THE UNITED NATIONS IS DOING -- 50 YEARS AFTER ITS CREATION. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON HAS SOME OF THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: IF YOU ASK UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S PERFORMANCE, YOU MIGHT HEAR THAT IT IS NOT DOING SO WELL -- DESPITE PAST ACHIEVEMENTS -- BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS ARE NOT MEETING THEIR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. GOVERNMENTS OWE THE ORGANIZATION OVER THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN PAST DUES -- THE LARGEST DEBTOR, THE UNITED STATES.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HE SAID THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS READY AND WILLING TO GIVE THE MONEY, BUT THE U-S CONGRESS HAS OTHER IDEAS. MR. CHRISTOPHER URGED THE UNITED NATIONS TO MAKE RAPID PROGRESS ON REFORM -- STREAMLINE ITS BUREAUCRACY, GET RID OF OBSOLETE PROGRAMS AND SO ON -- TO HELP PERSUADE AMERICAN LEGISLATORS:

IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT WE DEFEND THE INSTITUTION. THE BEST ARGUMENT AGAINST RETREAT IS FURTHER REFORM. TANGIBLE PROGRESS WILL HELP US WIN THE BATTLE FOR U-N SUPPORT THAT WE ARE WAGING IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE VICTORS OF 1945 HAVE CLUNG TENACIOUSLY TO THE LEVERS OF POWER. THEY CONTROL THE HIGH GROUND, EXERCISING INFLUENCE AND POWER AS NAKEDLY AS WHEN THEY WERE COLONIAL POWERS. ONLY THE MASKS (OR PEOPLE IN CHARGE) HAVE CHANGED.

THE MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER CRITICIZED THE UNITED NATIONS ITSELF FOR RESPONDING TIMIDLY -- IN HIS VIEW -- TO CRISES FROM RWANDA TO BOSNIA. HIS VIEWS ARE CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE OF MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THE 50TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALSO HEARD PROTESTS ABOUT FRENCH AND CHINESE NUCLEAR TESTING. THE VAST MAJORITY OF MINISTERS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT. SOME WERE MORE ANGRY THAN OTHERS. NEW ZEALAND'S PRIME MINISTER -- OUTRAGED OVER FRENCH TESTING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC -- ACCUSED BOTH COUNTRIES OF HAVING WHAT HE CALLED A CAVALIER DISREGARD FOR INTERNATIONAL OPINION.

THE FRENCH AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS, FOR THEIR PART, SAID THEY WOULD NOT CANCEL PLANS TO CONTINUE TESTING. BUT THEY PLEDGED TO SUPPORT A COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY WHICH THEY HOPE TO SIGN BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MORE THAN 100 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVER THREE WEEKS.

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, MEDIATORS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENCE OF MINISTERS IN NEW YORK TO TRY TO MOVE THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE BALKANS A STEP FORWARD. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNITED STATES, THE KEY PARTIES IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT AGREED THIS PAST WEEK TO A CONSTITUTIONAL SET-UP AND FREE ELECTIONS FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHEN THE WAR ENDS.

AFTER THE TALKS, SPECIAL U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE LEFT FOR THE BALKANS TO TRY TO GET AGREEMENT ON A CEASE-FIRE. U-N OFFICIALS EXPRESSED RELIEF THAT THE PEACE PROCESS IS STILL ON TRACK. BUT HOPES FOR A SPEEDY SETTLEMENT ARE GUARDED. (SIGNED) NEB/EJ/SKH 29-Sep-95 4:04 PM EDT (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America